Elle | Alessio Paduano

"Elle" is a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas. Even though we cannot find definitive sources on the origin of this sport, there is evidence to suggest that the game predates the 20th century, but it is not clear by whom the game of "elle" was introduced to Sri Lanka. Two teams, a tennis ball and bamboo bats are necessary to play "elle"
For more than twenty years the Singhalese community of Naples has been gathering every Sunday in the "Real Bosco di Capodimonte" to play "elle". This sport is a way to spend a different day together with the family, but above all it represents the chance of not losing the roots and transmitting Sri Lankan culture to the youngest ones.
The Sri Lankans in Italy are a significant migrant community, with over 100,000 people. Their presence in Italy has been attested since the 1970s.

Players of “Semuthu Thoduwawa” team are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

The referee traces the playing field with flour before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A player prepares a ball removing the fur before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Family members of the players are seen during a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

“Elle” bat made out from well-seasoned bamboo are seen in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Family members of the players are seen during a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A player notes the scores during a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players of “Eksath s.c.” team are portrayed in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

Players are seen before a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A moment of a match of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.

A notebook with the scores of the matches of “elle” in Naples, Italy on September 29, 2019. Every Sunday hundreds of people belonging to the Sri Lankan community in Italy gather in the “Real Bosco di Capodimonte” of Naples and play “elle”, a very popular Sri Lankan bat-and-ball game, often played in rural villages and urban areas.